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Writing a cover letter can be a daunting task, whether you're a seasoned professional or making a career change. It's essential to make a strong first impression and showcase your skills and experience in a concise and compelling way. Luckily, there are many modern cover letter template examples and templates available to help you get started.
In this article, we'll explore a range of simple cover letter samples, from standard cover letters to modern cover letter templates, and provide tips for creating a professional cover letter that stands out from the competition. Whether you're writing an administrative assistant cover letter or navigating a career change cover letter, we've got you covered.
Looking for some good free cover letter template examples? Ready for your job application to capture the hiring manager's attention? Let’s get started.
Cover letters can be one of the most challenging elements of your job application process. How can you summarise your professional career and personal skills in just a few hundred words? How do you get a hiring manager’s attention with a compelling cover letter? Here is some advice for writing a great cover letter, along with some free cover letter templates for your use.
Keep in mind that writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be a daunting task! A cover letter is your opportunity to make your CV stand out amongst many other similar applications. It’s a chance to speak about why you fit the role and explain your motivations for applying.
So, how do you begin to write a cover letter? In your cover letter, elaborate on achievements that don’t come through on your CV. Avoid simply repeating information from your CV, rather add value to what’s listed there.
Also, tailor each cover letter to speak to each company and role. Do research into company values, corporate culture and interesting aspects of the job you’re applying for, and use those details within the letter.
All cover letters should have the following structure:
To start writing a cover letter, begin by looking at some cover letter examples to get an idea of how you want to approach the task. These are a few cover letter examples for job seekers in Australia. Either copy and paste these free cover letter templates from here or download our resume cover letter examples for use later. Remember these are guides, not hard and fast rules for how to write your letter.
Generic doesn’t have to be boring! This letter can be used with any type of application. Be sure to add your own personal touch and experience to ensure you stand out from the crowd.
Dear [name]:
I am a [Industry] professional with [list years of experience and 2-3 professional strengths] I am looking for [insert your goals and motivations. Mention any corporate values that you resonate with.] [Finish this paragraph with a summary of your strongest, most recent and most impressive experience.]
Some highlights of my career include: [Use this paragraph to give a succinct, but detailed summary of past success, experience and skills learned.]
I can also offer [Include two to three sentences speaking about your education, language skills, and other experience that defines your career.]
Attached, you will find my CV, further outlining my skills, experience and education. I look forward to further discussing any open opportunities [within your company or mentioning a specific role]. Thank you for your time.
Best Regards:
[name and signature]
Download the template
If you're responding to a job ad, using a cover letter that is tailored to the specific position and company can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers. Use this cover letter example to respond to the specific job opportunity you want. Use the job description, including similar language in this letter, and make straightforward connections between stated requirements and your own experience. Highlight skills that most employers look for.
I am writing in response to an ad for [Insert job title and company]. I am a [Industry] professional with [list years of experience and 2-3 professional strengths]. I am interested in this opportunity because [include motivation for and interest in this particular role.
My previous experience and skills make me an ideal fit for this position because [Give a succinct, but detailed overview of your skills and concrete examples of past success. Use the same language as the job description and where possible, give specific examples that clearly demonstrate a good fit with the role outlined.]
Aside from professional experience, I also have [Include two to three sentences speaking about your education, language and other unique skills.]
Attached is my CV with more details. I look forward to further discussing the role of [Insert job title], with [insert company name]. Thank you for your time.
[Name and signature]
If you're interested in pursuing opportunities at a particular company, but don't see any job openings or don't have an inside contact, a well-crafted cover letter can be a powerful tool to make a positive impression. Use this cover letter to approach a company without an open job or inside contact. Choose which skills and experiences fit in best with your perception of the culture and the type of role you are seeking.
I am a [Industry] professional with [list years of experience, professional strengths and motivations. Finish this paragraph with a summary of your strongest, most recent and impressive experience.] I am interested in working with [company] because [include reasons for wanting to work with this company.]
Highlights of career include:
[Insert a list of 3-4 of your most impressive professional achievements, using numbers and concrete, specialised examples of past success.]
Highlight 1
Highlight 2
Highlight 3
Highlight 4
Along with my professional experience, I also offer: [Include two to three sentences about your education, technical skills and strengths]
Attached is my CV with more details about my experience. I look forward to further discussing any open opportunities with your company. Thank you for your time.
In cover letters to recruiters, be professional, but also personable, as good recruiters are looking for a culture fit along with qualifications. Look at recruiters as partners for your job search who have inside knowledge about the company, and with specialised expertise in a job search.
Cover Letter Sample:
I came across your profile as a specialist recruiter in [industry]. I am a [Industry] professional with [list years of experience, professional strengths]. I am now looking for [Include what you’re looking for and your motivation for the job search]. Finish this paragraph with a summary of your strongest, most recent and most impressive experience.]
Some of my career highlights include: [here, summarise your skills and experience with an emphasis on your strongest and most recent, relevant experience.]
In addition to my professional achievements, I’m also [Insert education, skills and unique attributes].
I have attached my CV, and I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about ways you could assist me in my search. Thank you for your time.
Use these templates as a guideline to start, then add your own details to personalise. Cover letters should be formal and professional, but not stiff or insincere. Remember, you’re speaking to a hiring manager or recruiter on the other side of that letter – write to that person. By taking a strategic and thoughtful approach to your job search materials, you can increase your chances of landing your desired position and setting yourself up for success in your career.
When it comes to cover letter writing, crafting a great letter is essential when applying for any job. Take your time to construct one that represents you as the best candidate and sells your strengths to the prospective employer. Don’t forget to read through our other resources as well to ensure your application stands out from the crowd.
With some extra thought and care, a strong cover letter will give you the edge and open more job opportunities in the future. Good luck!
Now that you have the templates, find out more information about resumes and cover letters:
Ready to make your next career move? Our Job Match tool enables you to easily find the perfect job, or set up job alerts to stay on top of new opportunities.
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Writing a cover letter can be a daunting task. Once you have the cover letter ready, read through these other resources to ensure your job application stands out from the crowd.
All the resume tips and tricks you need
How to write a winning resume
Selecting and preparing referees
Quickly find jobs that match your CV with our Job Match tool.
Stay on top of the job market and the latest roles with our job alerts.
Discover your value with salary benchmarks across various industries.
